There were approximately fifty stairs leading from the base to the grand gold-lined gate of the Eternal Nights Sect. Intricate patterns were carved into every surface, depicting ancient cultivation legends and celestial beings.
The surrounding area was mostly dense jungle, which made sense—cultivators from major sects preferred isolated locations for their cultivation grounds.
Fang Ren walked slowly up the stairs with both hands clasped behind his back, taking in the atmosphere. Two muscular guards stood at the gate, both wearing light blue robes with white inner garments.
Circular marks on their forehead bands designated them as gatekeepers. When Fang Ren extended his senses, he realized both guards were at least four to five tiers above him, which was impressive for simple gatekeepers. If the gatekeepers were this strong, the people inside would be far more formidable.
Fang Ren picked up his pace, walking faster with excitement.
Step, step, step.
"HALT!"
One of the guards stepped forward, his eyes narrowing suspiciously as he examined Fang Ren from head to toe. The boy wore simple, unadorned clothes—no fancy sect robes or insignia, and he carried no letters of affiliation. He was nothing more than a commoner right now.
Both guards moved forward simultaneously. One placed his hand on the hilt of his sword while the other spoke.
"Who are you? If you're a commoner, get away. If you're a merchant, show your merchant pass. If you have other reasons for being here, show some sect pass or letter of invitation."
A breeze swept across the gate, causing Fang Ren's hair and a few bangs to wave gently. He cupped his hands together and bowed slightly, showing respect.
"I am Fang Ren. I discovered that I have talent in cultivation, but my resources were limited. I've decided to join your sect. Is there some way I can apply?"
The guards checked his belongings thoroughly and found nothing suspicious. They relaxed slightly, no longer viewing him as an immediate threat.
"What cultivation level are you at?" one of them asked.
"I am currently at the fourth tier of the divine realm," Fang Ren replied calmly.
The guards' expressions changed instantly. Their eyes widened, and their body language shifted from casual to alert.
The Eternal Nights Sect was situated in a decent village and ranked among the top one hundred sects on the continent, but it wasn't so large or famous that high-tier cultivators regularly tried to join.
Most applicants entered at the mortal realm level. Even when divine realm cultivators applied, they were usually in their thirties or forties, seeking spirit stones, medicines, and pills to extend their lifespans.
A child claiming to be at late divine realm was virtually unheard of.
"What? Divine realm, and near peak divine realm at that? Kid, you're a heavenly blessing," both guards said in unison, their voices filled with shock and delight.
They wore slight smiles now, pleased that someone of Fang Ren's caliber was applying. One of them quickly made a pass for him to enter the sect.
The other guard bowed slightly.
"Sir cultivator, please wait here while I go inform someone in a position of authority inside. They will be delighted to have you," he said before turning to leave.
But before he could take more than a few steps, a swoosh sound cut through the air above them. A man descended on a flying sword, landing gracefully on the ground just like the scenes Fang Ren had read about in xianxia novels.
The man jumped down from his sword, and Fang Ren immediately recognized him as a sect elder—he couldn't even sense the elder's cultivation level, which meant the power gap was enormous.
The sect elder appeared to be in his early forties, with a posture as straight and unyielding as a spear planted into the earth. His black hair was neatly tied into a high knot, streaked faintly with silver that only enhanced his dignified bearing. His face was calm and refined, with sharp brows and steady eyes that held a quiet, intimidating depth.
He wore flowing dark blue robes trimmed with gold thread, embroidered with subtle cloud patterns that shimmered faintly under the spiritual light. A jade token bearing the sect's insignia hung from his waist, swaying gently with each step. Though he spoke little, a heavy, mountain-like pressure lingered around him—an unspoken reminder that beneath his composed exterior lay overwhelming power.
Fang Ren felt slightly nervous just in the elder's presence, and this was just one of hundreds of elders in the sect.
This made the future journey more interesting.
Fang Ren bowed. Though he was a prince of the Li clan back home, he was a commoner now—at least for the next ten years.
The elder waved his hand slowly, gesturing for Fang Ren to stand.
"Haha, young ones these days. I'm Shen Yuheng, in charge of the outer sect disciples and caretaker of dormitories. I heard you say you were in late divine realm. Will you let me check your cultivation personally?"
"Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt you, but there are cases where people from demonic sects or villainous groups use artifacts or techniques to fake their cultivation levels. Many children in this part of the continent are being kidnapped by such groups and forced to become their disciples," Shen Yuheng explained, his tone serious.
After hearing the gravity of the situation, Fang Ren agreed immediately.
Shen Yuheng placed a hand on Fang Ren's core around his naval area and closed his eyes, extending his senses inward to examine Fang Ren's aperture and the energy contained within.
After a moment, Shen Yuheng opened his eyes.
"Good, I have confirmed your realm. There is one simple test you'll have to perform to demonstrate your strength."
Fang Ren nodded in agreement, wondering what the test would be.
A huge yellow jade boulder was placed one hundred meters away. The task was simple—Fang Ren had to destroy it in some way.
He thought for a moment, considering his options. Since he wasn't proficient enough in the Celestial Light Bending Technique to easily create a qi finger and slash through the air, he decided on a different approach.
He took out his small Moon Bone Dagger, which was now soulbound to him. This had been one of his system gifts during his seclusion period. The dagger gleamed with a faint ethereal light.
Fang Ren infused energy only into the sharp edge of the dagger, concentrating his power at the point. Then he threw it toward the boulder with precise aim.
The dagger didn't hit the middle of the boulder. Instead, it struck the lower base at an angle, a calculated hit that would make the foundation crumble and topple the entire structure.
The huge yellow jade rock shattered completely, exploding into countless fragments that scattered across the ground.
Shen Yuheng clapped.
"Good, very good."
The two guards who had let Fang Ren through were stunned speechless.
Is this really divine realm, or is it higher? Even we, who are several tiers above him, can't easily shatter a yellow jade boulder in one try. How is this possible? they thought, exchanging glances of disbelief.
Shen Yuheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the technique Fang Ren had used. It wasn't something a rogue cultivator would randomly learn while wandering around on their own.
"Uh... is there a problem?" Fang Ren asked, noticing the elder's scrutinizing gaze and wondering if he'd made a mistake.